Turn on the heat this winter!

Add spark to your look by sporting these five wardrobe essentials.

Although many of us in Pakistan are deprived of winter in all its glory, it should not stop us from flaunting the season’s latest trends.

While it is relatively easier to shortlist summer must-haves, it can be slightly daunting to pick winter-wear essentials. With our complete and handy style guide, you are bound to make a fashion statement on the streets. We have handpicked five essentials, straight off the hottest runaways, which you must invest in to warm yourself up with flair.

Beanies



Although Karachiites will most likely have to do without beanies, fashionistas from northern areas of Pakistan can keep warm and style up with them. Beanies have made it to the fashion ramps and are no longer an accessory worn by slackers and grannies. They are practical, warm and simply cute. Top designers have taken this unpopular accessory and turned it into a sartorial statement. Wear an uber trendy topper over a dress or even a pair of formal khakis. And don’t forget that they especially come in handy when you’re having a bad hair day!

Blazers



Take inspiration from the opposite sex this season by adding a couple of blazers to your wardrobe. Smart, structured and solid, blazers are sure to make you dazzle. Go for a tux-style black tailored blazer and pair it with cigarette pants to make a fashion mark at your workplace. You can also wear a polka-dot jersey blazer over a pair of skinnies for a night out with your girlfriends. Wearing them in bright hues of pink or green can really make your outfit shine. A blazer adds personality to your outfit and gives off an “I am fashionable but I mean business!” vibe.

Leather



This winter is all about being bold, edgy and practical and leather is one fashion staple that fits the bill without looking too flamboyant. Leather doesn’t necessarily have to toughen up your look; it can accentuate the most feminine and chic of ensembles. Wear a classic, floral bubble top with a straight leather mini skirt or sport a punk rock look with a pair of skinnies and a bomber jacket. A great addition to your shoe rack this season would be leather boots that can jazz up almost any look.

Scarves



Floral prints, chunky knit, snood and cashmere — they come in all shapes and sizes and can add colour to your entire ensemble. Pick a light-weight scarf if you’re wearing a dress or any other feminine outfit, and sport a chunky and warm one with a jacket and jeans to bring out your edgy side. If quality supersedes price for you, you could go for a miniature fur boa.

Plaid



Usually blasts from the past are somewhat scary but this one is turning up the heat on fashion runaways. Plaid of tartan is for everybody — from the cheerleader to the one sitting on the bleachers, as Taylor Swift says. Since it’s winter, you should opt for darker combinations of hues like red and black and green and blue. Don’t shy away from tartan because it’s used in kilts worn by Scottish men. It looks fabulous on fashionistas of every age and skin tone. Even Bollywood’s current hottie Deepika Padukone sported a tartan mid-length skirt at the promotional event of Ram-Leela. And you can never go wrong with a tartan top!

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, December 1^st, 2013.